Africa Tourism Leadership Forum 2024 set to chart a new path for intra-Africa travel, tourism & investments.

The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) 2024 is scheduled to take place from September 3rd to 6th at the Gaborone International Conference Centre, Grand Palm, in Gaborone, Botswana.

This year’s theme, “Charting a New Path Forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism & Investments,” reflects the forum’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and collaboration across Africa’s travel, tourism, and investment sectors.

ATLF is a premier Pan-African dialogue platform that brings together influential stakeholders from the travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors. The forum serves as a unique opportunity for industry leaders to network, share insights, and develop strategies to boost intra-Africa travel and tourism, thereby enhancing the brand equity of “Destination Africa.”

The 2024 edition of ATLF will focus on three thematic areas: Sustainable & Inclusive Tourism, Boosting Intra-Africa Travel, and Driving Economic Growth. These themes are designed to ensure that tourism development benefits all stakeholders, especially local communities, and contributes to the continent’s economic integration and growth.

The ATLF Awards, a highlight of the forum, will recognize and celebrate innovation, excellence, and transformative initiatives pioneered by Africans, for Africans, in Africa. Attendees will have access to investment opportunities, innovation showcases, and educational sessions led by industry experts.

As Kwakye Donkor, CEO, aptly puts it, “The future of African tourism lies in our ability to chart a new path forward, one that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and collaboration. ATLF 2024 is poised to be a transformative dialogue that will shape the future of African travel, tourism, and investments.”

Building on the success of ATLF 2023, which saw over 500 participants, including thought-leaders, media, travel trade, industry practitioners, hoteliers, policymakers, and renowned experts, ATLF 2024 promises to be an even more impactful event.

The forum will feature insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and practical sessions on topics such as:

– Sustainable & Inclusive Tourism

– Boosting Intra-Africa Travel

– Driving Economic Growth

– Investment opportunities in tourism and hospitality

– Educational sessions led by industry experts

Join us at ATLF 2024 to be part of a movement that will drive sustainable growth and collaboration across Africa’s travel, tourism, and investment sectors.

Source: Voyages Afriq.  

Uganda, Kenya in bid to promote complementary tourism

In Summary

  • The 9th to 21st November conference shall:
  • Strengthen synergies between key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya coastal region;
  • address barriers and challenges to the partnership between Uganda and Kenya Coast.
  • Explore investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Uganda.
  • Allow participants to experience the tourism products in each of the two destinations so that they are better equipped to promote them.

The Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference is an annual event organized by the Consulate General of Uganda in conjunction with tourism stakeholders in Uganda and the Kenya Coast.

The conference aims to consolidate networks, synergies, and diversity to maximize the tourism potential between Uganda and Kenya’s coastal regions.

The event includes excursions at the Kenya Coast and a family trip to Uganda, as well as business-to-business sessions to enable participants from both countries to meet and interact.

The expected outcomes of the conference include increased tourist arrivals and investments in the tourism sectors, joint tourism packages, and increased traffic on the Entebbe-Mombasa route operated by Uganda Airlines.

it will also help map/ work out a strategy for joint promotion of trade  between Uganda and Kenya Coast and enhance awareness about the complementarity between the two destinations and the tourism products they offer.

During a media briefing at the Ministry of foregn affairs in kampala,the Commissioner, Human Resource, Ministry of foregn affairs Mr Herbert Kiguuli and the  Consul General of Uganda to Mombasa Ambassador Paul Mukumbya tell the public that the conference shall also  assess the progress made in the cooperation between Uganda and Kenya Coast since the last two conferences.

This will provide a platform for B2B networking, learning and information sharing;and also  equip the key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya coastal region with firsthand experiences of key tourism attractions so that they are in a better position.

Source: Capital Radio

NDC offers confuse clients, frustrate agents

A recent Travel News poll showed that 5% of agents book NDC via airline direct websites, 10% utilise a third-party platform (eg Thomalex), 15% book NDC via the GDS interface and 10% book a combination of all these options. 

But an alarming 60% of agents said they are not using NDC at all.

According to its 2024 Modern Retailing Report, Travelport research shows that NDC and website-direct offers are at odds with the consumer experience and that 58% of users are struggling to compare new products and additional offers available through NDC.

In 2022, Iata said of Modern Airline Retailing: “Our aim is to create value for travellers by meeting their needs. We know that passengers want a seamless digital experience.”

The NDC-powered displays of fares on many airlines’ websites mean that a vast number of fares are displayed. The fares represent the unbundling of standard fares and the rebundling of their elements into a variety of different offers. It’s somewhat bewildering and confusing for consumers, who could end up paying more for their fare than they bargained for.

A leisure client interviewed by Travel News said he received a quote from his travel agent to fly to Lisbon. “We were out with friends and they said I should book direct online as the airline website is always cheaper than agents offer. I went on to the website of the airline that my agent had quoted me on to have a look and the fares were indeed cheaper than she had quoted us.

“I put the same dates and flight details in on the same airline, got the cheaper rate and paid for the tickets, having compared apples with apples. The terms and conditions and different booking options were confusing at best.

“I have subsequently discovered that I booked the cheapest flights without baggage, and I cannot change my dates or get any refund on the tickets. Baggage is purchasable as an addition to the airfare and there were about seven different options and related prices for various fares that affect changes and refunds.

“Airline website offerings are a nightmare. There is so much more content to wade through; they have become more trouble than they are worth.”

Travelport CEO, Greg Webb, spoke to Travel News about solutions the GDS is developing to address the complexities of booking NDC.

 “Travelport’s role in the increasingly complex travel industry is to take millions of pieces of disparate information and make it simple for both travel agencies and providers to understand, search, sell and service. We believe AI and machine learning are powerful tools to do just that. The Travelport Content Curation Layer product will allow travel agencies to provide travellers with the right range of normalised, enriched, bookable content at speed, via a single search screen. Used for all content sources (LCC, EDIFACT, NDC, hotel, car, etc). The CCL allows agents to compare apples to oranges in an apples-to-apples way.

“Our travel agency partners know their travellers well, and Content Optimizer gives agencies the ability to set their own rules and customise the type of results that are prioritised.”

The Travelport report explains that because NDC content is implemented differently by every airline, the reality is the buyer is often forced to deal with NDC, whether they know it or not. 

To travellers, NDC looks like an overwhelming set of content on every airline’s website, along with different rules for changes on every offer, along with system incompatibilities, such as the offering of long-haul flights from South Africa to Europe, the US or Asia without the inclusion of baggage. It’s hard to believe this feels like a satisfactory modern retailing experience for the consumer. 

The same can be said for the travel agent’s experience when working with NDC. They often see duplicated content on the screen, or must open multiple tabs to compare like-for-like products. 

Added Webb: “For agencies and travellers alike, the explosion of choice is causing on-screen clutter, slower searches, and confusion.”

Travelport’s new Content Curation Layer and Content Optimizer was designed to unlock smarter searches in one place with clearer and more standardised results from all sources, said Webb.

 Source: Travel News

Ethiopian Airlines Elevates Passenger Experience with TSA PreCheck® Enrolment

Press Release – Ethiopian Airlines Elevates Passenger Experience with TSA PreCheck® Enrolment-The program offers passengers premium services to experience smoother security screening without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets.

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest aviation group in Africa is delighted to announce its partnership with the United States (US) Transport Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck® program.

The program allows Ethiopian Airlines’ customers traveling out of USA to have a better air travel experience with a more seamless, secure, and comfortable security screening solution as they can keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on, and their laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in their bags while passing through the dedicated TSA PreCheck screening lanes.

The 3-1-1 liquids rule is a TSA regulation that allows passengers to carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters each. All such containers should be placed in a single, quart-sized bag, with one bag permitted per passenger. This rule streamlines the security process and ensures a quicker passage through airport checkpoints.

Regarding the partnership Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our 25-year history of service to and from the United States, enhancing the travel experience for our esteemed passengers through expedited security screening.” He added, “Our integration into the TSA PreCheck® program is more than just an added convenience; it is a reflection of our dedication to providing a superior travel experience.”

Through TSA PreCheck, customers can enjoy streamlined security processes and expedited security screening. This will help our passengers to have more control over how they comfortably spend their time and benefit from a secure air travel system. TSA PreCheck® passengers wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints nationwide.

Ethiopian Airlines now offers this expedited service to its customers traveling from five key destinations in the USA: Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, New York, and Washington. Our valued customers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals or lawful permanent residents of the United States, may benefit from enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program through one of TSA’s three authorized enrollment providers.

For more information, please visit the following websites: https://corporate.ethiopianairlines.com/Press-release-open-page/ethiopian-airlines-elevates-passenger-experience-with-tsa-precheck-enrolment

https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa/tsa-prechek

www.tsa.gov/precheck

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is one of the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-eight years of successful operations, Ethiopian has become the continent’s leading carrier, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin.

Ethiopian is also pursuing multi-hub strategy through hubs in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world.

Ethiopian has been champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for seven consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years.

For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com   

Contacts

Nairobi City Office

Bruce House Muindi Mbingu Street

Email

nbores@ethiopianairlines.com

nbocto@ethiopianairlines.com

Tel

 +254 701223493/+254 701223970/+254 723786649

24 hours Toll free: +254 20 3892349

Uncovering the Secrets Behind Dubai’s Thriving Tourism

Dubai continues to thrive as a top tourist destination, outpacing rival Middle Eastern locations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are also ramping up their tourism infrastructure. From Jan to Jun 2024, Dubai saw at least 9 million international overnight visitors coming into the city, marking a 9% increase in the first half of 2023.

Official data from the local tourism board

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) reveals that this growth trajectory sets Dubai on course for a record year in 2024, potentially surpassing more than 17 million international visitors recorded in 2023. Dubai also saw an increase in hotel capacity with new openings such as The Lana, Dorchester Collection’s first Middle East property, and SIRO One Za’abeel, Dubai’s first fitness hotel. Official data has shown that the city’s hotels maintained a robust average occupancy rate of 78.7%, slightly higher than in the first half of 2023.

Hotel industry performance

Occupied room nights grew by 3%, totalling 21.35 million at the end of the first half of 2024, compared to 20.73 million in the first half of 2023. Additionally, the Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose to AED558 (US$152), a 4% increase from the same period last year, while Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed 6%, from AED415 (US$113) to AED439.

New attractions a contributing factor

A key attraction contributing to this surge is Real Madrid World at Dubai Parks and Resorts, the world’s first theme park operating under the banner of the Spanish football club, which opened in the first half of the year.

The cruise sector has also played a significant role in boosting tourism. During the 2023/2024 winter season from Oct to Apr, Dubai welcomed over 132 ship calls between Mina Rashid and Dubai Harbour, a number expected to rise. Dubai has also partnered with regional maritime and tourism authorities to form the Cruise Arabia alliance, promoting the Arabian Gulf as a strategic point and premier cruise ship destination globally.

With a solid performance in the first half of 2024 and continuous enhancements in attractions and infrastructure, Dubai is well-positioned to set new tourism records by the end of the year, reinforcing its status as a leading global destination for tourists around the world.

Source:   Tripzilla

Kenya Airways and Safaricom forge tech partnership for aviation innovation

Kenya Airways (KQ) has signed a partnership with Safaricom aimed at driving innovations that will enhance the airline’s operational efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity, and elevate the customer experience.

Kenya Airways and Safaricom will focus on enhancing connectivity, in-flight Wi-Fi, Infrastructure Inspection, Security Surveillance, loyalty programs, data science, software development, and aviation innovation in areas such as agriculture.

Commenting on the partnership, Fredrick Kitunga, Chief Information and Data Officer at Kenya Airways said: “Kenya Airways collaboration with Safaricom is a testament to the power of co-creation. By harnessing our combined expertise, we are not only addressing today’s challenges but also laying the groundwork for sustainable growth, enhanced connectivity, and transformative innovations that will benefit our customers and communities for years to come.”

The companies will also collaborate in developing and implementing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for warehousing, baggage tracking, aircraft materials and ULD, to cover tracking, location, reconciliation and stock taking.

Representing Safaricom, Cynthia Kropac, Head of Business noted, “This Memorandum of Understanding solidifies our commitment to providing a transformative experience for our customers, connecting people in new and innovative ways. By leveraging our respective strengths—Kenya Airways in providing safe journeys and Safaricom in cutting-edge communications and technology—we ensure that our customers remain seamlessly connected throughout their travels.”

Kenya Airways’ Fahari Innovation Hub is a one‐of‐a‐kind center of aviation innovation excellence in Africa that facilitates creative and collaborative ways of providing much‐needed solutions to business problems. The Hub is a centre for strategic innovation management offering opportunities for cocreation, networking, research, and learning; and is a springboard for new ideas and innovations that help communities and continent face current and future challenges.

Kenya Airways (KQ) is Kenya’s national carrier and a leading African airline. It flies to 45 destinations worldwide, 37 of which are in Africa, connecting over 5 million passengers and over 70,000 Tons of cargo annually through the Hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Source:   ATTA  

ASKY Founder and Chairman Honored.

Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors at ASKY, Mr. Gervais Koffi Gbondjide DJONDO, has been honored with an award at the 2024 BOMA Africa Awards held in Accra, Ghana recently.

The award recognises DJONDO’s “indomitable spirit, passionate dedication, and relentless pursuit of Africa’s integration and prosperity goals, in line with Agenda 2063,” as inscribed on the trophy. Under the theme “From the Africa We Want to the Africa We Build,” the 2024 edition of BOMA of Africa celebrated personalities with radical ideas and actions driving Africa forward. “We are incredibly honored that DJONDO has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to Africa,” commented Chief Executive Officer of ASKY, Mr. Esayas Woldemariam HAILU on a Press release shared by ASKY.

About ASKY

ASKY, The Pan-African Airline, is a 100% privately owned airline created by regional banking institutions in Africa that includes The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and ECOBANK Group (ETI) in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines.

ASKY is a commercial company under private law and is managed by experienced African aviation professionals, with Ethiopian airlines as its strategic partner.

ASKY currently operates a fleet of fourteen (14) aircraft: nine (09) Boeing 737-800s and Two (2) Boeing 737-700s, and Three (3) Boeing 737 MAX 8, serving twenty-height (28) cities in twenty-six (26) countries within Africa and soon Pointe Noire.

ASKY’s focus is to develop a strong intra-Africa network that foster regional development, tourism, economic growth and regional integration as a major economic catalyst within the continent with its long-term goal of a sustainable business focused on profitability.

For more information, contact communication@flyasky.com, visit our website www.flyasky.com or our LinkedIn; Twitter Facebook and Instagram pages, @ASKY

ASKY Management

ASKY, The Pan African Airline

Press Release_240804_091245 (1)Download

AirAsia Takes Flight in Kenya- What Does This Mean for You?

We are delighted to inform you that the Kenyan Ministry of Transport has granted AirAsia full approval for scheduled flights between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi. This official clearance allows you to confidently sell tickets to your customers without any concerns. The arrival of AirAsia in Kenya marks a new era of affordable air travel. With its vast network and competitive fares, this low-cost carrier is set to revolutionize the way Kenyans travel.

Discover More Destinations

One of the most exciting benefits is the opportunity to explore new destinations. AirAsia’s extensive network provides access to 35 new destinations across 12 countries, allowing you to cater to a wider range of traveler preferences. Whether your clients dream of the vibrant cities of Southeast Asia, the stunning beaches of Australia, the cultural richness of HongKong, or the business acumen of Singapore AirAsia can take them there.

Reduced Fares and Travel Hours

AirAsia has maintained its position as the world’s leading low-cost airline for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years, winning the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Award in June 2024. Beyond its financial success, AirAsia has been a pioneer in environmental sustainability and affordable travel. Connect your customers to Australia for up to 40% less than traditional flights while enjoying flight times that are over 30% shorter!

All cabin classes

Direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and beyond will be operated by an Airbus A330. Defying expectations, this low-cost carrier offers a premium experience, including all cabin classes typically found on full-service airlines, even flatbed seats. The aircraft configuration is detailed below:

What Next?

1. Do you wish to sell East and Southeast Asia destinations?  Register on their booking system by clicking here if you’ve not already

2. Join the exclusive AirAsia System and destinations training for our member travel agents on Friday the 9th of August.

Enjoy The Convenience Of One Ticket To Jeddah From Kenya Airways Network.

Travelling to and from the Gulf just got easier with Kenya Airways! KQ has partnered with Saudia Airlines (SV) to facilitate seamless travel for guests looking for a convenient option as they explore Jeddah for leisure or business.

With just one ticket, guests can now travel to Jeddah from Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Mogadishu with a connection through Dubai. On the other hand, travelers from Jeddah can fly to Nairobi as well as Accra and Entebe via Nairobi. Travelers from other parts of KQ’s Africa network can also enjoy the same seamless connectivity as this partnership provides a gateway into and out of the Gulf region and serves as a critical connection to Africa for the Gulf. This partnership affirms KQs commitment to connecting people, cultures and markets by providing guests with more connectivity options, itinerary flexibilityand affordable rates.

DET unveils Dubai, A Whole New You campaign.

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has announced the launch of its latest campaign, ‘Dubai, A Whole New You’, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan across Dubai. The campaign video showcases their dynamic relationship blossoming against the backdrop of Dubai’s landscape.

The duo gets competitive at the Real Madrid World theme park, setting the tone for new adventures that Dubai offers including cruising through the waters in a jet car, dining at Krasota and more. Dubai wins them over, as they discover ‘A Whole New You’ in each other.

The campaign aims to bring families together to unwind and rebond in Dubai. Through unique adventures and exciting experiences, the duo take a break from their everyday hustle to reconnect as a family, coming together to tick off items on their bucket list and revelling in all that the city has to offer. It is a showcase of how Indian families can also foster stronger connections with each other when travelling. 

Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism stated, “As we launch our new campaign, our steadfast focus remains on enriching Dubai’s tourism offerings for Indian families. Dubai offers an array of captivating experiences spanning art, culture, adventure, gastronomy, as well as retail and outdoor attractions that are second to none. Through this campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to setting global benchmarks in tourism, inviting families across the country to create their own cherished moments in the heart of this vibrant destination.”

Saif Ali Khan expressed his delight, saying, “It has been an absolute honour to collaborate with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism for their inspiring campaign, ‘Dubai, A Whole New You.’ Watching Sara grow beyond a daughter into a co-artist, and now working with her, has been a special experience. Our busy schedules often leave us with limited occasions to explore and enjoy activities together, so to see Dubai through her eyes was terrific. It was a great opportunity for us to truly soak in the best of Dubai, experience its incredible offerings, and spend quality time together.”

“It was amazing to discover Dubai through my abba’s eyes, and of course to take him to cute, Instagrammable spots. I love family vacations, and this one was particularly special as it allowed me to hang out with my dad and take him on fun adventures. I love setting off on short getaways from India, and Dubai has something new and interesting to offer every time I visit, creating memories that will last a lifetime,” added Sara Ali Khan.

Source:  BW Hotelier.